Gauksmýri

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Gauksmýri

A horse-themed country lodge that offers riding tours, lessons and horse shows. Conveniently located in the Húnaþing region in the northwest of Iceland, mid-way between Reykjavík and Akureyri, the lodge offers accommodation for 55 guests in nicely decorated rooms with either private or shared facilities. During the summer season, guests can enjoy riding tours and a daily barbeque buffet, or go birdwatching and trout fishing. Open from 4 January to 22 December.

Amenities

In the area

Bird watching

Hvammstangi village 8 km

The Icelandic Seal Center in Hvammstangi

Swimming pool in Hvammstangi

Kolugljúfur canyon 14 km

Hvítserkur (unique rock stacks instrument) 34 km

Accommodation

Accommodation for 55 guests in nicely decorated rooms with either private or shared facilities. A charming living room with a TV and books about birds and horses, as well as free Internet access and a shared computer.

Board

During summer (from June 1 - September 15) guests can enjoy meals from the ambitious menu at Gauksmýri's on-site restaurant which include fresh ingredients, such as home-grown vegetables from the greenhouse and homemade bread. In the summertime, the restaurant offers breakfast, lunch buffet and a dinner grill buffet. In the wintertime, meals are only served for groups. During winter guests are referred to Sjávarborg Restaurant in Hvammstangi (owned and operated by the people at Gauksmýri), an 8-minute drive from Gauksmýri during winter.

Service and recreation

Gauksmýri is also a horse centre. The horse rental is open all year and short horse riding tours depart four times a day during the summer season. You can join a longer tour to the spectacular horse round-up in Víðidalur Valley in October each year. Gauksmýri also offers horse shows for groups, both indoors and outdoors, where participants can learn about the five gaits of the Icelandic horse and then have a look at the stables. Riding courses with an English speaking tutor are available for guests staying at the lodge.

The nearby Gauksmýrartjörn Lake is a paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts. A wheelchair-accessible path leads to a bird hide complete with binoc¬ulars and books. There are many hiking paths in the vicinity and in the mountains of Vatnsnes.

The next village (swimming pool, shops and various services) is Hvammstangi (8 km / 5 mi).

A welcoming place with friendly atmosphere

Gauksmýri Lodge is located in the valley of Línakradalur in the West Húnaþing region, just off Highway no. 1. Línakradalur is a grassy swampland, with the Vatnsnes peninsula mountains in the north and the mountains Reykjabunga and Bessaborg in the south. The name "Línakradalur" means "flax acre valley" because, in earlier times, flax was grown here and used to produce linen. Gauksmýri has an active environ¬mental policy.

Nearby natural attractions

Gauksmýri is well located for sightseeing. Nearby attractions include the Seal Centre at Hvammstangi; Hvítserkur Cliff, a 15-metre-high sea stack; Borgarvirki, a 10-15-metre-high ridge of columnar rock, from where there is a wide panoramic view over a large part of the region; and Kolugljúfur Canyon in Víðidalur, a deep, rugged gorge where the Víðidalsá river cascades down in many waterfalls.

Seal watching

Vatnsnes is an area of varied animal life and home to the largest and most accessible seal colony in Iceland. Here, the common seal (Phoca vitulina) can be seen at quite a close range. Outlook points for seal watching can be found at Illugastaðir, Svalbarði and Ósar. At the Icelandic Seal Centre in Hvammstangi, you'll learn about the seals of the North Atlantic and be informed about guidelines for seal watching. The ring road round Vatnsnes is about 90 km and is mostly a dirt road, passable all year round.